They want it to remain open to sports and recreation groups while retaining its natural assets adjacent to the scenic Thunder Point ocean vista.

A master plan costing about $100,000 will be developed to cover the coastal reserve, which incorporates a trotting track on a former rubbish tip, golf course, the city’s wastewater treatment plant, mountain bike track and former rifle range.

Warrnambool City Council has allocated $60,000, with $30,000 from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and $10,000 from Wannon Water.

It is expected work will start next financial year to produce the first overall strategy to determine management, use, conservation and development of the area.

City councillors voted unanimously to support the work, but stressed they would oppose attempts to push user groups out.

“It’s not a pristine wilderness, it’s a coastal recreation area close to the middle of a major regional city,” mayor Jacinta Ermacora said.

“A lot of other areas can be preserved and locked up, but this precinct can be utilised both for recreation and the environment.”

Cr Michael Neoh said the project control group should aim for a commonsense approach. “There are a number of users in this space,” he said.

“There needs to be sensible management allowing groups to continue to use it.

“We have to be careful about having areas locked up without use.”

Cr Rob Askew said it was an opportunity to make the land a sensibly designed activities node.

“Everyone can benefit and the land can be better monitored,” he said.

Cr Peter Hulin said there would be tourism economic benefits by linking the Shipwreck Coast theme with the Aboriginal history of the area.

A background report by community development director Vicky Mason said the precinct had a number of plant species endemic to the area.

“There are threats to the environment values due to the largely unco-ordinated approach to land management, pest plants and animals and unauthorised use,” she said.